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(The following treatise on the "FOUNDATIONS of KARATE TECHNIQUES" was taken from Suzuki Sensei's book Karate-Do. This book is strongly recommended for all serious students of Wado-ryu.)

It is impossible to make progress in Karate without mastery of those two fundamental techniques, the punch and the kick. Young people today often find it unbearable to repeat the same exercise over and over again but the almost monotonous repetition of basic techniques are the only sure and essential foundation for the development of effective Karate. Many beginners arrive with dreams of marvelous skill and prowess, only to give up all too soon, as they tire of the simple, essential repetition of basic techniques.

The USA branch of the Wado International Karate-Do Federation (WIKF) was established by Suzuki Sensei to maintain the highest technical standards as defined and characterized by the WIKF syllabus. The WIKF syllabus is the basis for the curriculum taught in all WIKF member dojo around the world. The USA branch of the WIKF is dedicated to honoring the philosophical and technical legacy of Wado-Ryu karate as taught by Tatsuo Suzuki, Hanshi. All of our dojo must be places where the participants are learning pure Wado technique; the act of learning itself is valued; the establishment of a sense of friendship and cooperation; the adherence to common values, traditions, procedures; and the underlying sense of orderliness and commitment to a common purpose.

The only difference between the possible and the impossible is one's will.- Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei

1892Sensei Ohtsuka was born in Shimodate City, Ibaragi, Japan on 1st June 1892. He was the first son of Mr. Tokujiro Ohtsuka, a doctor of medicine. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (All-Japan Martial Arts Federation) was founded the same year.

1910In this year Ohtsuka Sensei entered Waseda University to study commerce.

1917Ohtsuka Sensei started work at the Kawasaki Bank. This did not deter him from continuing his studies with different styles of ju jitsu; he visited many different dojos and exchanged techniques with those he met. During this time he met Morihei Ueshiba Sensei, the founder of Aikido, and they became good friends.

1919In May of this year, Ohtsuka Sensei mastered techniques of 'bone setting' which he had learned during his ju jitsu training. He decided that he wanted to become a full-time martial artist, but his mother was opposed to this. Out of respect for her, Ohtsuka Sensei postponed this plan of action.

1922In June the Japanese Education Department had their first Sports festival in Tokyo. Gichin Funakoshi Sensei was invited from Okinawa to demonstrate karate. Funakoshi Sensei performed the Kushanku kata. Mr. Gima, a student from Okinawa, happened to be at the University in Tokyo at this time, and he demonstrated Nai Fanchi. Following these demonstrations, Jigoro Kano Sensei, the founder of Kodokan Judo, invited both Funakoshi Sensei and Mr. Gima to his dojo. Kano Sensei perceived that karate jitsu had the same spirit as any Japanese martial art. And, since Kano Sensei was renowned as the best martial artist in Japan at that time, his opinions were held in the highest regard. Funakoshi Sensei was invited to extend his visit and stay at "Meisi Juku", the house for Okinawan students. In July, Funakoshi Sensei began teaching karate jitsu at the Meisi Juku in Tokyo. Ohtsuka Sensei heard about the demonstrations and became very interested in karate jitsu. He visited Funakoshi Sensei at the Meisi Juku and discussed various aspects of martial arts for many hours. Funakoshi Sensei agreed to teach Ohtsuka Sensei all he knew about karate jitsu the lessons began the very same day.

After one year of instruction Ohtsuka had studied all the katas that Funakoshi had brought from Okinawa, but he found some movements difficult to understand.

1924Kano Sensei told Funakoshi Sensei that the spirit of Budo included both defense and attack, and that it was not enough to practice only kata. Meanwhile, Ohtsuka Sensei was developing many new techniques, including Yakusoko Kumite (pre-arranged fighting techniques with a partner), idori-no kata, tachi ai-no kata and shirahatori-no kata. In May 1924 Ohtsuka Sensei and Funakoshi Sensei demonstrated yakusoko kumite in public for the first time. This brought recognition of Funakoshi Sensei as the first person to introduce ryu kyu karate jitsu — or Okinawan Karate — to Japan.

1928Three years after his mother's death, Ohtsuka Sensei resigned from the Kawasaki Bank and established a bone-setting clinic. At this time he was Shindo Yoshin Ryu Shihan, or Chief Instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu, as well as assistant instructor at Funakoshi Sensei's dojo.

1929By this time, Ohtsuka Sensei had established most of the Wado-Ryu karate schools he registered as a member of Nippon Kobudo Shinko Kai (Japanese Martial Arts Federation).

1934In May 1934 Wado-Ryu karate was recognized as an independent style. At that time it was called Dai Nippon Karate Do Do Shinko Club. Ohtsuka closed his clinic and became a full-time instructor and practitioner of Wado-Ryu karate, thus fulfilling the ambition he had had since 1919.

1935On Kano Sensei's recommendation, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Federation accepted Karate Jitsu as a martial art, but only as an extension of Judo.

1944Ohtsuka Sensei was asked by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai to become the Chief Instructor of karate in Japan.

1945After the end of the Second World War, the Americans ordered the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai to be disbanded. The practice of any martial art was forbidden.

1951After a peace treaty was signed between Japan and America, the practice of martial arts was reinstated, and the spirit of Budo was set free. This was celebrated at the first martial arts Demonstration to be held since the prohibition.

1958University Student Karate Championship first held at Kanto, Tokyo Area.

1964Three instructors from Nihon University came to Europe and America, to demonstrate WadoRyu karate. They were Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei, Toru Awakawa Sensei and Hajime Takashima Sensei. In this year the All-Japan Karate-Do Federation was established.

1966Ohtsuka Sensei was awarded Kun Goto Soukuo Kyokujujitsu Sho (comparable to a knighthood) by Emperor Hirohito, for his dedication to the introduction and teaching of karate.

1969First All-Japan Karate Do Championship.

1970The World Union of Karate Do Organization (WUKO) was established, and the first World Karate Do Championships took place at the Budokan in Tokyo.

1972The President of Kokusai Budo Renmei, a member of the Royal Family, awarded Ohtsuka Sensei the title of Meijin, the highest possible title. Ohtsuka was the first ever to receive this great honor.

1981Ohtsuka Sensei's 90th Anniversary Championship was held; this was also the 17th All-Japan Wado Ryu championship.

1982On 29th January Saiko Shihan Hironori Ohtsuka died at the age of 90. Ohtsuka Sensei never stopped practicing Budo. He had practiced martial arts for 84 years; his whole life was dedicated to Budo and we should follow his fine example.

Otsuka Sensei built his style of karate around 9 basic kata, 5 of which are regarded as fundamental. The uniqueness of Wado-Ryu is characterized by 3 major concepts:

NAGASUThe ability to deflect an attack without using harsh blocks.

INASUThe ability to move the body as a target out of the line of attack using a simultaneous defense/offense technique.